She is also alleged to have struggled with Ms Low, pulled her hair, seized her by the neck and repeatedly attempted to strike her on the body with a knife.

The trial at the High Court in Aberdeen is expected to last 10 days.

Ms Russell also denies behaving in a threatening or abusive manner towards Ms Low by shouting and swearing at her, uttering threats of violence, brandishing a knife at her and engaging in a fight with her on various occasions on 2 and 3 September last year.

Solicitor advocate Iain Paterson told the High Court in Glasgow that a special defence of self defence has been lodged.